Detroit Tigers: Seven players who could make their MLB debut in 2021

Zack Short

Prediction on when he will get the call up:  End of May.

As Jake mentioned in his piece back in October, his versatility is something the Tigers loved when they picked him up and so does AJ Hinch. He has had a good spring training, showing off the potential power that was discussed as part of his profile.

If Niko Goodrum struggles offensively, the Tigers could call up Short, especially if gets off to a good start in Toledo or is being productive in the mini-camp in April.  Granted, if Harold Castro gets sent down, he may get the call up over Short but the reason why I will go with Short over Castro is Short in the minors walks at a higher clip.

Granted, you have to throw out the ISO number of .203 with some skepticism in 2019 at Triple-A Iowa because of the balls they used but where the power comes in is in his ISO numbers in 2018 before his injury at Double-A, where it was at .190, which is closer to that .200 sweet spot that is your guide to know a player will hit for power.

Castro does not walk much with a walk rate of 3.2% and does not hit for power. Detroit has seen what Castro is and they may look to Short to be one of the first call-ups to Detroit.

Alex Lange

Prediction on when he will get the call up:  End of April

Lange has turned some heads in spring training not only his fastball that has been touching 97-99 with movement but a pretty nasty curve that is a knee buckler.

Reliever turnover could be high this season and Lange could get one of the first relievers on speed dial.

The former starter in the Cubs system now a reliever, at Double-A Erie in 2019, posted a K per 9 of 8.62 in 15.2 innings of work in the bullpen with a FIP of 2.79.

Jason Foley

Prediction on when he will get the call up:  September

When you have a fastball sitting at 98, a changeup at around 89, and a slider at 86 with movement, that helps your cause. Foley will have some down in the minors to either be the closer at Toledo or Erie and get himself time. Detroit would have to clear a spot on the 40-man roster to make room for him and for this next pitcher…

Zack Hess

Prediction on when he will get the call up:  September

Kellen Gove of our site had this great write-up about Hess from two weeks ago.

“Standing at 6’6 220, Hess has a violent delivery that packs a punch. When he’s at his best, he features an upper 90s fastball and a sharp biting slider that both grades as above-average pitches. “

If Detroit can get these arms to develop and avoid injury, the Tigers’ bullpen future beyond 2021 is a good one.

Kody Clemens

Prediction on when he will get a call-up: Late July.

Clemens has been working on making his swing much more compact, allowing him to leverage his power more. He walks near a 10% clip throughout his minor league career and when he was on the podcast with Chris and me, he was working on his game in the Constellation Energy League last summer that his father, Roger, put together to help out emerging prospects and indie talent. He hit 4 home runs and had an OPS of .747 for Team Texas.

He is a lefty bat that was taking reps at first base in spring training, which helps his cause as a possible platoon bat situation. If the Tigers make a trade at the deadline, Clemens, based on how he is doing in the minors, could get a call-up.

Riley Greene

Prediction on when he will get a call-up: September

Greene is more than likely starting the season at Double-A Erie and we have seen the flashes of good at-bats and strong defensive play.

Giving him a taste of the show at the end of the season if fans are coming to the ballpark at a normal level would definitely give Tigers fans something to talk about. If Detroit is going to be winning only 68-70 as projected, why not?

Could they wait until next season? Sure but if Greene shows he can be an impact player now, why wait?

Matt Manning

Prediction on when he will get a call-up: July

Manning with some time in the minors will be able to work on sequencing his pitches better. As Chris Brown said in his write up for our Top 20 prospects list:

Matt Manning shows many of the traits of a potential front-line starter. His fastball sits in the 92-95 mph range, he can ramp it up to 98, and his elite extension makes the pitch appear even faster to hitters. His 12-6 curveball is frequently a plus offering he can land up in the zone or bury in the dirt for swings and misses, and his changeup shows the potential to be at least average. Manning is an excellent athlete who fields his position very well, and that athleticism also helps him repeat his delivery. He pounds the strike zone, and shows potential for above-average command.

There is a lot to like with his arm and he appears to be healthy, which is good news for the rotation.